It won't provide all the sound vinyl can offer, but it's a start and can provide some fun cheaply. A few years ago they were sold retail for $99 at DSE. it's an adequate starter deck that is readily obtainable for $50-$100 used on eBay. Stylus are readily available because the AT3600 cartridge is still widely available. without needing to spend more money on a phono preamplifier. It contains a rather ordinary Audio Technica moving magnet cartridge but will sound better than a Target /DSE Chinese thing, and has an inbuilt phono stage so you can basically plug it straight into a line level (CD etc) input on your amplifier, computer etc. After market ones for this sort of unit are readily available online for around $20-$25 imported.Īs always SN is a great source of advice, and I'm always happy to provide advice as well, as I'm sure are other members who love this medium.Īn entry level turntable that won't ruin records would be the Optimus LAB1100.

Make sure you replace the stylus (needle) as well.

whilst far from optimal, they won't destroy your vinyl. And when replayed on decent gear, it was obviously the groves had been damaged.īeware, the cheap and convenient price of these record players will be forgotten but the damage to the records will not.īetter to buy a used vintage unit from eBay - even if it's a lowly BSR based all in one, or a Pioneer, Sony, a Technics, JVC, Sony etc. This was evident after playing a 45 single just three times, the sound became sibilant and distorted. It appeared that the arm is too short and made of cheap plastic, gave an incorrect tracking angle, and together with its heavy ceramic cart/stylus was actually damaging the record grooves. They are bad for records and destroy vinyl, IMO. However I've seen a few of these and my son owned one.

They're usually under $100 and made in China. Something that has really concerned me is the quality of record players on sale at major retailers. Any many young people in their 20's and 30's. It seems vinyl is making a big resurgence, just from watching SN, the ever increasing prices of good used turntables, and from discussions at two local record stores who say business is very good.

Record players for sale at target